Q&A with Toronto Dermatology Centre

 

Natural beauty portrait of young woman applying cream on her face

Over the past few months, we have received some frequently asked questions from patients, so today’s blog will address these questions.

  1. What do I do if my skincare product expired?

In Canada, our expiry dates are significantly shorter than the same product, made at the same time from the same batch in the States. Our guidelines are stricter, but the reality is that if you have a product that has recently expired, use it. Products aren’t milk, they won’t spoil. Over time, the efficacy may slightly diminish, and of course, I wouldn’t suggest using a skincare product that expired ages ago, but a few months is nothing to be concerned with. If the product has changed colour or has a new odour, or was left out for hours in the heat or with the cap left open, those would be other reasons to toss that product.

  1. How do I manage enlarged pores?

Pores enlarge generally in the T-zone, where most of the oil is produced on the face. The pores fill with oil(sebum) and eventually stretch. You can’t change the composition of your skin, but keeping it clean, exfoliating (but not over exfoliating…everything in moderation!) and facials to extract will help to prevent stretching. As we age, we lose collagen and density, causing the skin to fall, and therefore the pores may appear larger. ZO Instant Pore Refiner and retinol products will help to polish the skin and prevent the skin from sagging. Glycolic acid in a cream form or doing chemical peels will also reduce the appearance of large pores.  The new SkinEssentials MD Texture Perfector will work on pore size and work towards that “no pores” skin we crave. My personal favourite? Microneedling!!! Profractional laser is also very effective, and both treatments will take several appointments to get good results.

  1. If I have grey or silver or white hair, how do I remove it?

Lasers look for colour so that their energy can be absorbed into it. Without colour, the energy has nowhere to go. Although there is still often some improvement with laser & light-based devices, the hair reduction is not nearly as dramatic as for darker hair. Other options include: electrolysis and waxing, or prescription Vaniqa cream.

  1. How can I avoid getting prominent leg veins?

Although developing prominent leg veins (e.g. vericose, spider) can be genetic, there are some ways to reduce or prevent the severity of them. Don’t sit with legs crossed or apply extended amounts of pressure on the legs. Wear sunscreen and try to keep skin cool. Be fit – the trimmer you are, the less pressure on the legs. Compression garments/socks/stockings will also help to constrict the vessels to prevent breakage. Come in for a consult, there are some good options for treatment (e.g. lasers, sclerotherapy).

  1. What are some good creams or serums for giving my skin a nice glow?

Using retinols and glycolic products will help keep the skin smooth as well as to prevent aging. My favourite is ZO Wrinkle and Texture Repair and SkinMedica AHA/BHA cream, both applied at night time. For daytime, The HA5 from SkinMedica applied under your moisturizer in the morning will instantly create not only a glow, but really hydrate and keep the skin plump. Our vitamin C serums will also give the skin a glow as well as protect the skin all day long. Adding Skin Essentials MD Hydraquench every morning provides instant glow and long-term hydration, slowing down the signs of aging skin.

  1. How can I minimize scarring after a surgical procedure?

Your doctor may suggest a post-surgery repair product, usually silicone based. When you see us on the fourth floor, we will explain how to use it and for how long. If the scar is in an exposed place on your face or body, sunscreen is mandatory, as hyperpigmentation is common on unprotected scars and a wound/scar doesn’t heal as well if exposed to too much sun. Once the scar has healed completely, your medical esthetician can reassess the results and offer options to improve the scar, if needed. We have different and effective treatments for a very fresh scar (e.g. less than 6 weeks) as compared to an older scar (e.g. older than 6 weeks). We also have laser options and other treatments if scars are still red after a few months, or if there are changes in elevation of the scar.

Please send questions to [email protected] and I would love to hear any questions you have about any & all skin care topics.

~ Sheri Roselle, Medical Esthetician at Toronto Dermatology Centre

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